Great Lakes Helicopters to Sponsor Toledo's Glass City 200; Cherry Picked Auto Parts to Present
Great Lakes Helicopters to Sponsor Toledo's Glass City 200; Cherry Picked Auto Parts to Present
(TOLEDO, Ohio - August 25, 2010) - Toledo Speedway's signature event, the famed Glass City 200 Late Model invitational, has secured a title and presenting sponsor for the 22nd edition of the prestigious race. The Great Lakes Helicopters Glass City 200 presented by Cherry Picked Auto Parts is set for Saturday, October 2. The rain date is Sunday, October 3.
"We are very pleased to make these sponsorship announcements for the Glass City race," noted Ron Drager, co-owner and promoter of Toledo. "Adding Great Lakes Helicopters to the title along with Cherry Picked Auto Parts is a big step for the event. We are very grateful to both businesses for their support."
Great Lakes Helicopters is based in Almont, MI and is one of the sponsors of the #116 Late Model driven by Jack Varney Jr. "We would like to thank John Lojko from Great Lakes Helicopters for working with us to put this deal together," added Drager.
Cherry Picked Auto Parts entered the Toledo-area market within the past year, and has served as a sponsor at Toledo Speedway throughout the season, highlighted by their presenting sponsorship of the Glass City 200. They are located ½ mile south of Telegraph Road on Detroit Avenue.
The race is expected to draw the top outlaw Late Model drivers from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Canada. The winner of the 200 will take home $5500, with $1000 posted to start the contest on the lightning-fast ½ mile paved oval. With contingency and bonus awards, a driver could walk away with over $8000 in prize money and awards. The total cash payout for the day is over $50,000. Dave Kuhlman is the defending champion of the classic.
In another new twist to this year's edition of the event, the CRA Sportsman cars will serve as the support division for the 200. A field of 25-30 cars is expected for the 50 lap race, which will be sponsored by R & M Recycling of Toledo and Monroe, MI.
DTS Drive Train Specialists will once again sponsor the Late Model B Main event and will also post $50 labor/parts contingency awards to 5 drivers in a random draw. DTS will also award a certificate to the 30th place finisher in the 200.
Additional contingency awards include 2 round-trip airline tickets from Toledo to Florida to the winner, courtesy of Allegiant Air; the $500 fast qualifier award (sponsor to be announced soon), $500 Port City Racecars product certificate to the winner of the 200 if using a Port City chassis; $250 Burge Wrecking cash award to Most Improved position in the 200; $250 Penske Shocks product certificate to the winner of the 200; $100 All Star Performance product certificates to the 6th and 12th place finishers and $100 product certificates from Lane Automotive to the 5th and 10th place finishers in the 200.
Additional sponsors include Bazell Race Fuels/Sunoco Race Fuels, Celebrations Fun Food Factory and Kish Ambulance. Additional sponsors will be announced when secured.
Lap money is available for just $10 per lap and will go to the leader of each lap in the Great Lakes Helicopters Glass City 200 presented by Cherry Picked Auto Parts. Lap sponsors as of press time include Port City Racecars-10 laps; iHealth Products-10 laps; Giles Auto Body-15 laps and Performance Images Photography-5 laps. Call the track today at 419-727-1100 to join the list!
Drager's grandfather, the late John Marcum, created the event in 1968. The track was sold in 1978 and the event discontinued until Drager and his business partner, Roy Mott, purchased the track in 1999 and immediately revived the race.
The legendary Joy Fair won the inaugural event in 1968. Other winners include Joe Ruttman (1969, 1973), Bob Senneker (1970, 1971 and 1977), Danny Byrd (1972), , John Anderson (1974), Jim Bickerstaff (1975), Ed Cooper (1976), Tim Felver (1999), Tim Ice (2000), Jr. Hanley (2001), Steve Sauve (2002, 2003, 2004), John Doering Jr. (2005), Jack Landis (2006), Brian Campbell (2007) Harold Fair Jr. (2008) and last year's winner Dave Kuhlman.
An optional Friday practice session has been scheduled. The October 1 slate will include rig parking, pit pass and tire sales, limited tech inspection and a 2 hour practice for both classes. The pits open at 1 p.m. Friday, with practice set from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday's schedule will have the pit area open at 9:30 a.m. Practice begins at Noon, time trials are set for 3 and racing begins at a special time of 5 p.m. October 2. The entry blanks will be available September 1.
Reserved seat tickets for the event are now on sale by calling the track at 419-727-1100. VISA and Mastercard are accepted for phone orders. Log onto http://www.toledospeedway.com/ for further information.